This morning I received a life coaching request from a 28-yr-old, working in the area of professional specialty that match his academic degrees.
In response to the question: "Why are you looking for a change?" he wrote: ”I am very unhappy with what I do. I am usually a passionate person and like for what I do to have meaning and to be of value to me. In my current job, I am not able to achieve these things. I seem to be on the sidelines of my own life, waiting for it to begin.”
While this is a season for shopping, partying, and spending fun time with family members, this is also likely to be a time for anxiously listening for company rumors and resume polishing. For some of you the news is already in – downsizing and the accompanying layoffs often come in more of a flurry than any snowstorm as bosses look to trim their fixed costs in a last-minute attempt to have a fresh start for a more profitable New Year. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas more than 100,000 positions were slashed in December in two of the last three years. And it seems that for every person who loses their job, there are 1,000 who are worried about it.
Don’t get caught unprepared. You should see yourself as self-employed in some sense – even if you have only one client currently. That will remove the feeling of being trapped and vulnerable. In addition:
- Re-assess your direction. Are you on track, or do you need a re-alignment?
- Recognize that a change (even if unexpected or unwelcome) often wakes up old dreams. What were the dreams you had as a child? What are those recurring themes in the things you dream of doing?
- Stay informed. You should be reading magazines like Fast Company, INC, and Entrepreneur to see the best new ideas being introduced. Don’t count on the knowledge you got in college 20 years ago to insure your value today.
- Make age and experience your assets. The experience you have today should make you more valuable as a candidate than what you could offer 15-20 years ago.
- Be ready to document your value. Be able to describe unique areas of competence you have refined and developed.
- Be willing to look at all the options available to you. Perhaps you’ve been too narrow in looking at ways to put legs on your dreams.
Welcome this self-evaluation. Maybe you’re ready to get off “the sidelines” and begin living the life you were put here to live.
This article appeared originally on 48days.com. Used with permission.
Dan Miller, President of 48 Days LLC, specializes in creative thinking for increased personal and business success. He believes that meaningful work blends our natural skills and abilities, our unique personality traits and our dreams and passions. Dan is active in helping individuals redirect careers, evaluate new income sources, and achieve balanced living. He believes that a clear sense of direction can help us become all that God designed us to be.
Dan is the author of the widely acclaimed 48 Days to The Work You Love and No More Mondays. He writes regularly for many popular magazines and web portals, including CBN.com, Crosswalk.com, In Touch, AARP and Success magazines and the Zig Ziglar newsletter. He has been a guest on CBS’ ‘The Early Show,’ MSNBC’s ‘Hardball with Chris Mathews,’ 700 Club’s Living the Life and Fox Business News with Dave Ramsey Show, to hit some highlights. He hosts a weekly podcast that is consistently ranked #1 under Careers on iTunes. Dan is also a frequent speaker and guest on popular radio programs like Moody Broadcasting, Crown Financial, Janet Parshall’s America, American Family Radio, and Prime Time Chicago.
Committed to personal priorities, Dan and wife Joanne have been happily married for over 42 years. They have three grown children, all entrepreneurs, and they enjoy spending time with their eleven grandchildren. Visit his website at www.48days.com/wisdommeetspassion.
Publication date: January 15, 2013